Large Size Currency Values

Large Size Notes

It wasn’t until 1928 that the Bureau of Engraving and Printing began making money at its current size. From 1862 – 1923 all paper money was about 40% larger than it is today. Simply enough this currency is known as “large size.” As you might expect values vary hugely, they range from $15 to thousands of dollars.

The guide below shows some of the more common and slightly rarer issues that are widely sought after by modern collectors. The list below is not comprehensive nor are the stated values exact. There are still many factors at play that determine the ultimate value. If you possess one of the notes below and you’d like more information or if you believe you have a large size note that you don’t see below, please contact us: largenotes@oldcurrencyvalues.com We’ll give you a free current market value appraisal and offer our buy price or put you in touch with an end collector.

Large size currency is cataloged by the two signers on the note. The table below features the basic design of the note along with each signer. The two numbers are what the note on average should be worth in very rough condition and in perfect condition. (The information is sorted by denomination)

1917 $1 Legal Tender – Extremely Common

Teehee

Burke

$25

$225

Elliott

Burke

$25

$225

Elliott

White

$25

$225

Speelman

White

$25

$225

With exception of the 1923 silver cert, this is the most commonly available $1 large size note. However, if you have a note signed by Burke on the left and Elliott on the right then it will be worth considerably more.

1923 $1 Legal Tender – Extremely Common

Speelman

White

$65

$550

This note is far from rare but it is an extremely popular one year issue. There are many low serial numbered examples available for collectors. There are also some very nice star notes that came from this series.

1896 $1 Silver Certificate – Common

Tillman

Morgan

$150

$1900

Bruce

Roberts

$150

$1900

This is from the classically popular “educational series.” It can be found fairly easily in low grades, however, nice mid grade and high grade examples are tough and can be pricey.

1899 $1 Silver Certificate – Extremely Common

Lyons

Roberts

$40

$375

Lyons

Treat

$40

$375

Vernon

Treat

$40

$375

Vernon

McClung*

$40

$375

Napier

McClung

$40

$375

Napier

Thompson

$100

$1600

Parker

Burke

$40

$375

Teehee

Burke

$40

$375

Elliott

Burke

$40

$375

Elliott

White

$40

$375

Speelman

White

$40

$375

The black eagle series is another very affordable popular series. They are usually a large sizers first buy.
*if the date 1899 is to the right of the seal on this sig. combo then the note will be worth much more

1923 $1 Silver Certificate – Extremely Common

Speelman

White

$15

$120

Woods

White

$15

$120

Woods

Tate

$40

$600

Thousands of these last of the $1 Silver Certificates still exist. The only rarity is the Woods & Tate signature combination.

1891 $1 Treasury Note – Common

Rosecrans

Nebeker

$125

$1200

Tillman

Morgan

$125

$1200

Bruce

Roberts

$125

$1200

This note is not as popular with collectors right now and there are many uncirculated examples available. However, it is still a rarer note for the $1 denomination and can bring strong prices.

1918 $1 Federal Reserve Bank Note – Extremely Common

Various

Various

$40

$375

All 12 federal reserve districts issued these notes. There are many different signature combinations. With two exceptions, they should all be valued between the range stated above.

The 1917 $2 is really the only note for the denomination that can be bought for under $500 in uncirculated condition. It was the last large size two dollar note issued.

1891 $2 Silver Certificate – Less Than Common

Rosecrans

Nebeker

$250

$3000

Tillman

Morgan

$250

$3000

This note suffers from a less than strong collector base. It is not a note you will not be able to buy at will on ebay, however, it can be obtained at other venues fairly easily.

1896 $2 Silver Certificate – Somewhat Rare

Tillman

Morgan

$350

$5000

Bruce

Roberts

$350

$5000

This is another note from the extremely popular “education series.” It seems to always been in demand and considering its beautiful design one can see why.

1899 $2 Silver Certificate – Common

Lyons

Roberts

$110

$1200

Lyons

Treat

$110

$1200

Vernon

Treat

$110

$1200

Vernon

McClung

$110

$1200

Napier

McClung

$110

$1200

Napier

Thompson

$150

$1600

Parker

Burke

$110

$1200

Teehee

Burke

$110

$1200

Elliott

Burke

$110

$1200

Speelman

White

$110

$1200

This note is not necessarily rare but they do tend to bring fairly strong prices despite not being especially hard to find. This deuce makes a nice pair with its black eagle counterpart.

1891 $2 Treasury Note – Less Than Common

Rosecrans

Nebeker

$175

$2250

Tillman

Morgan

$175

$2250

Bruce

Roberts

$175

$2250

Treasury notes were only issued for two years, so they tend to always be somewhat in demand. However, this particular note doesn’t currently bring as much money as it probably should.

1918 $2 Federal Reserve Bank Note – Common

Various

Various

$250

$1900

All 12 federal reserve districts issued these notes which feature a battleship on the reverse. This is another very popular series that brings pretty good prices even in low grades because of the constant demand.

This “woodchopper” note is another collector favorite. It is readily available and it is easy to collect all signature combinations. Look to pay $200 for a mid grade example.

1896 $5 Silver Certificate – Rare

Tillman

Morgan

$400

$8000

Bruce

Robert

$400

$8000

Lyons

Roberts

$400

$8000

This is perhaps the most sought after large size note of all time. It commands strong prices in all grades and someone is always looking to acquire one. If you possess one of these, consider yourself lucky.

1899 $5 Silver Certificate – Less Than Common

Lyons

Roberts

$350

$2750

Lyons

Treat

$350

$2750

Vernon

Treat

$350

$2750

Vernon

McClung

$350

$2750

Napier

McClung

$350

$2750

Napier

Thompson

$450

$4000

Parker

Burke

$350

$2750

Teehee

Burke

$350

$2750

Elliott

Burke

$350

$2750

Elliott

White

$350

$2750

Speelman

White

$350

$2750

This note is a popular purchase for the beginning collector. It is the only note to feature a Native American. It can be bought in low grades on ebay with ease, however high grade examples are a little tougher to find.

1923 $5 Silver Certificate – Less Than Common

Speelman

White

$400

$3000

This is a one year, one signature combination, completely distinct issue. All that combined means that a lot of collectors are looking for this type. High and low grade examples are available, but not a lot in between.

1914 $5 Federal Reserve Note – Extremely Common

Various

Various

$30

$250

All 12 federal reserve districts issued these notes. They also issued them as red seals; the red seals are worth about 5x more in the higher grades. Some districts and signature combinations are rarer than others.

This “jackass” note profits from being one of the nickname notes. When turned upside down, the eagle in the center of the note looks like the head of a mule. These still seem to be a bit under the radar.

1901 $10 Legal Tender – Somewhat Rare

Lyons

Roberts

$350

$3500

Lyons

Treat

$350

$3500

Vernon

Treat

$350

$3500

Vernon

McClung

$350

$3500

Napier

McClung

$350

$3500

Parker

Burke

$350

$3500

Teehee

Burke

$350

$3500

Elliott

Burke

$350

$3500

Speelman

White

$350

$3500

The bison notes are so popular that even most coin collectors want to own one. It features the portrait of Lewis and Clark. There are many nice examples available so it’s okay to be picky on this one.

1923 $10 Legal Tender – Rare

Speelman

White

$600

$7500

This is another note that benefits greatly from being a unique design in a one year one signature combination series. These are nicknamed “poker-chips” because of their reverse design. They can also get pricey.

1907 & 1922 $10 Gold Certificates – Common

Vernon

Treat

$100

$1100

Vernon

McClung

$100

$1100

Napier

McClung

$100

$1100

Napier

Thompson

$120

$1300

Parker

Burke

$100

$1100

Teehee

Burke

$100

$1100

Speelman

White

$100

$900

The Speelman-White signature combination is by far the most commonly encountered of this series. This note is quite attractive and the reverse has some of the brightest colors of any large size note.

1914 $10 Federal Reserve Note – Extremely Common

Various

Various

$40

$350

This note was issued by all 12 federal reserve districts. Red seals were also issued and they command about 5x the above values in uncirculated condition. In the blue seal variety they are very common and affordable.

As you can tell by all the signature combinations, this note was printed for many year. It is the most available large size twenty after the 1914 FRN, however it is far from common.

1891 $20 Silver Certificate – Somewhat Rare

Rosecrans

Nebeker

$350

$6500

Tillman

Morgan

$350

$6500

Bruce

Roberts

$350

$6500

Lyons

Roberts

$350

$6500

Parker

Burke

$350

$6500

Teehee

Burke

$350

$6500

This note is known as the Manning note because it features the portrait of Daniel Manning. It probably deserves to be noted as rare, however its current price levels aren’t as strong as they should be.

1906 & 1922 $20 Gold Certificate – Common

Vernon

Treat

$175

$1400

Vernon

McClung

$175

$1400

Napier

McClung

$175

$1400

Napier

Thompson

$175

$1750

Parker

Burke

$175

$1400

Teehee

Burke

$175

$1300

Speelman

White

$175

$1250

The Speelman White is the only 1922 signature combination and it is by far the most plentiful. Don’t confuse this note with the 1905 “technicolor” issue which is worth about 10x more on average.

1914 $20 Federal Reserve Note – Extremely Common

Various

Various

$50

$450

This note was issued by all 12 federal reserve banks. Its red seal counterpart is worth considerably more, probably about 5x on average. This is the most common large twenty.

This note was issued by all 12 federal reserve districts. Red seals were also issued and they command a much higher price. In the blue seal variety low and mid grades are plentiful, high grades are not.

1913 & 1922 $50 Gold Certificate – Somewhat Rare

Parker

Burke

$350

$4500

Teehee

Burke

$350

$4000

Speelman

White

$350

$3500

This note is a bit more ellusive of the two featured fifty dollar large size notes. The Speelman/White signature combination is the 1922 variety and it is the most common.

$50 Notes Not Pictured: There were many other large size $50 notes that aren’t featured above. Considering just how much money $50 was in the late 1800s it’s not surprising that few people could afford to hold on to one. Besides the two issues above, any large size fifty should probably be worth at least four figures.
–If you do possess a large size $50, tell us about it, and we’ll give you a free appraisal

1914 $100 Federal Reserve Note – Common

Various

Various

$300

$2200

This note was issued by all 12 federal reserve districts. Red seals were also issued and they command a much higher price. Blue seals are available in all grades. The reverse of this note is a true work of art.

1922 $100 Gold Certificate – Somewhat Common

Various

Various

$400

$3750

This note has an 1882 cousin that, depending on the signature combination, is a bit more valuable. Despite the high denomination and retro-look, these notes can be acquired fairly easily.

$100 Notes Not Pictured: There are several large size one hundred dollar notes that are not pictured. Simply put, other than the two notes pictured above, all $100 notes are rare. There were not many printed for each series and it was rare for an individual not to redeem them.
–If you do possess a large size $100 we’d love to hear about it and give you an appraisal

$500, $1,000, $5,000 & $10,000 Large Size NotesNotes of the above denominations were printed in large-size; however, they don’t come to market very often. Some are so rare that only a handful are known to exist. Please note our contact information and let us know if you believe you have a high denomination large size note.